Cheer Me On

I haven’t written much in a while, and as someone who needs to write to release, it has affected my health profoundly. With the addition of a job on top of other responsibilities, I’ve reached my capacity for what one person can hold.

I’ve experienced symptoms for much longer than before, and I can’t say I’ve been dealing with them very well. There’s complexity in navigating mental illness as a “high-functioning” person—between what I allow others to see and what they can literally see.

This year, I’ve felt myself revert to a previous version of myself in certain spaces, which has been challenging. The perfectionism, self-abandonment, and sense of loss from pursuing employment (as I once did for education) have been a lot to process and understand about myself.

💌 A message I need from myself today:

My worth is not defined by my productivity, and I don’t have to “perform well” to be seen and appreciated by those around me. I can prioritize myself and still care about the people around me. Putting myself first does not make me a bad person.

My experience with mental illness does not define who I am. I am a whole person deserving of love, acceptance, community, and care.

I am more than what I long for.

I am not difficult to be around, even if I’ve been in a silent crisis. It’s OK for me to need extra support. I am not a burden, even when others don’t know how to help or give me blank stares.

I am existing as a human being. I am enough as I am. My life is worth living. Positive experiences are ahead of me.

💛 Feel free to free-write below about how you’ve been lately.

#MentalHealth #Journaling #Depression #Anxiety #CheckInWithMe #Fibromyalgia #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #PTSD #BipolarDisorder #Disability #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #CheerMeOn #DistractMe #ThePencilCase

Hi Mighty friends! 👋

Last weekend was pretty tough for me. I had to fight my way out of a heavy depressive episode, so this weekend I want to set an intention that can help me feel more grounded and in control of my body and life's decisions. I think I want my word to be "centered." I want to feel connected to my physical and spiritual body.

What about you? What word can you carry with you into the weekend?

#BipolarDepression #BipolarDisorder #PTSD #ComplexPosttraumaticStressDisorder #Schizophrenia #ADHD #Parenting #ChronicIllness #SchizoaffectiveDisorder #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #Anxiety #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #Depression #MentalHealth #Selfcare #EatingDisorders #CheckInWithMe #CheerMeOn

After taking some time off (as explained in earlier posts), I have been working on creating new images for future posts as I return to return to raising awareness of Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) and try to provide information, support and encouragement to people living with this debilitating condition.
#FunctionalNeurologicalDisorder #Disability #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #MightyTogether #CheerMeOn #FND #FNDAwareness

I've been reflecting lately on the goals and intentions I want to set for myself as the year continues. There have been a lot of shifts and changes in my daily routine since the beginning of the year, and as a result, some of my habits have had to change, too.

One habit I'd really like to improve is my time management. I want to use my time in a way that leaves me feeling less fatigued and less stressed about how little time I have for myself. I've realized that self-abandonment is a major trigger for my depression, so making space for my own needs has become increasingly important.

I also want to practice speaking to myself with more kindness about what I'm able to accomplish each week and how I define purpose in this season of my life. I'm not sure I'm where I want to be—or even if there's a specific place I need to "be" right now. Transition seasons often feel foggy and uncertain for me.

What about you? Is there a habit you'd like to change? What's one small step you can take toward that change?

#BipolarDepression #BipolarDisorder #PTSD #ComplexPosttraumaticStressDisorder #Schizophrenia #ADHD #Parenting #ChronicIllness #SchizoaffectiveDisorder #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #Anxiety #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #Depression #MentalHealth #Selfcare #EatingDisorders #CheckInWithMe #CheerMeOn

As some of you may have noticed, I have been taking a break from The Mighty over the past few months. The reason for this was that, after years of living in a home that was entirely unsuitable, even dangerous, due to my health and mobility needs - which had triggered severe depression and anxiety - I was finally able to move into a home that is fully wheelchair adapted and beyond anything I could have imagined. As much as this move has changed my life in so many ways, it also revealed the full extent of my social anxiety and just how much depression and anxiety had affected me. I felt it was important for me to take some time to work on myself and it helped me to rediscovered someone I thought I wouldn’t see again – ME! I have rediscovered parts of myself that I thought were gone for good, and it has been wonderful. And what has been even more amazing is that rediscovering myself has led to me accepting myself for who I am, which in turn has helped me feel more accepted by others. 💪🏻🤗💝
#Selfcare #MentalHealth #Depression #Anxiety #SocialAnxiety #GeneralizedAnxietyDisorder #CheerMeOn #FunctionalNeurologicalDisorder #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #MightyTogether #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #Disability #DepressiveDisorders

For me, living with mental health conditions has been challenging in many ways. One of the more subtle—but surprisingly difficult—challenges has been answering the simple question, "How are you?"

Being part of different mental health communities has given me the courage to be more honest with myself and with others. At the same time, it's made it harder to give the automatic "I'm fine" response when that's not how I actually feel.

If I'm having a difficult day, I usually try to be honest about it. But I've learned that this approach can sometimes make others uncomfortable, especially if they don't understand that my mental health conditions are chronic. My symptoms aren't something that only show up during a crisis or after something traumatic—they're a regular part of my life.

There have even been times when I've distanced myself from people because I worried that my honesty about not feeling well over a long period of time would make them uncomfortable.

Can anyone else relate?

How do you usually respond when someone asks, "How are you?" Does that question ever feel uncomfortable for you? Has your answer changed over time?

#BipolarDepression #BipolarDisorder #PTSD #ComplexPosttraumaticStressDisorder #Schizophrenia #ADHD #Parenting #ChronicIllness #SchizoaffectiveDisorder #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #Anxiety #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #Depression #MentalHealth #Selfcare #EatingDisorders #CheckInWithMe #CheerMeOn

It's the last day of July, Mighties! How was the month for you? Let’s check in and reflect on our mood-tracking experiences. 🌳

What were some trends or patterns you saw come up? Have you learned anything new, reassuring, or interesting about yourself in the process of mood tracking this month? Is there anything you would like to improve or work on moving forward?

💡 Bonus: Feel free to also comment the color(s) that best represents your mood today as well. 🎖️

💚 Green: Open-minded, creative, reflective
🔵 Blue: Calm, relaxed, confident
💜 Purple: Happy, excited, grateful
⬛ Black: Angry, annoyed, frustrated
🟧 Orange: Stressed, overwhelmed
🟫 Brown: Tired, exhausted, drained
🟨 Yellow: Depressed, stuck, melancholy
❤️ Red: Anxious, alert, concerned, worried
⚪ White: Not sure if I can put my mood into words.
🌈 Rainbow: Other (share in the comments!)

#MightyMoodTracking #CheckInWithMe #Selfcare #MentalHealth #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #Disability #Autism #Fibromyalgia #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #Depression #Anxiety #BipolarDisorder #PTSD #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #Migraine #MultipleSclerosis
#CheerMeOn